How to disable PIN code on Xiaomi: a detailed guide

Modern smartphones of the Xiaomi brand and the Redmi sub-brand are equipped with a multi-level data protection system, which is activated by default immediately after unpacking the device. One of the first barriers a user encounters is the PIN code requested when turning on the phone or retrieving it. SIM-Although this measure significantly improves the security of personal data in the event of theft of a gadget, for many owners, constant digitization becomes an annoying factor, slowing access to basic functions.

The need to remove this request often occurs when using a device in a trusted environment, such as at home, or when transferring a smartphone to children and elderly relatives who have difficulty remembering combinations of numbers. It is important to understand that disabling protection requires a clear understanding of what type of lock you want to deactivate, since MIUI and HyperOS distinguish between the screen unlock code and the PIN code of the SIM card itself.

In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios for disabling a password request in detail. We will look at standard methods through the settings menu, how to bypass forgotten codes and the nuances of working with Mi Account. Following the instructions will help you customize the device to your needs, maintaining the balance between usability and basic information protection.

Differences between SIM PIN and screen lock code

The first step before making any security changes is to have a clear understanding of what exactly you're going to turn off. SIM-cards with a screen unlock code, although these mechanisms work at different levels and protect different objects. SIM It's stored in the carrier's chip and requested by the phone's modem before the operating system is fully loaded, which means that without it being entered, the phone can turn on, but it won't catch the network, call or use the mobile Internet.

Unlike a SIM card, the lock code (pattern lock, digital password, or biometrics) is part of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell. It protects access to the file system, applications, and personal data stored in the memory of your smartphone. If you turn off the PIN of your SIM card, the phone will automatically connect to the operator’s network immediately after you turn on. If you remove the screen password, anyone who takes the device in their hands will have access to the content of the phone.

The type of code requested can be determined by the appearance of the input window. querying the PIN code of a SIM card usually looks like a minimalist field with the heading "Enter the PIN" and often appears on a black background before the brand logo appears. The screen unlock window, on the contrary, appears after the system is booted, often accompanied by widgets, hours and notifications, and may also require face unlock or fingerprint.

⚠️ Note: Three times incorrect PIN entry SIM-The card leads to its blocking and request PUK-Ten wrong attempts to enter. PUK permanently disable the SIM card, requiring its replacement from the operator.

Both types of security are managed using completely different sections in the settings menu, and confusion in these terms can lead to the fact that a user, trying to simplify the activation of the phone, accidentally locks his SIM card or, conversely, leaves the device without protection from unauthorized access to personal photos and correspondence.

How to disable PIN code SIM-maps on Xiaomi

The process of disabling the password request when the modem starts is the most frequent request, as it prevents quick access to calls. To perform this operation, you need to know the current valid PIN code. If you have never changed it, most likely, the standard combination from the operator is used, which is often indicated on the plastic card-holder of the SIM card or in the contract.

To start unlocking, go to the main settings menu of your device. Find a section that may be called Device Protection, Security or Passwords and Security, depending on the version of the installed MIUI or HyperOS firmware. Inside this section, you need to find the Privacy or System Security option, where the encryption and management settings of SIM cards are located.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  • πŸ“± Click on Settings item SIM-Select a specific SIM card if two are installed.
  • πŸ” Find a switch called PIN Request or Block SIM-map.
  • πŸ”’ Enter your current PIN in the window that appears to confirm the operation.
  • βœ… After successful verification, the slider will switch to an inactive state, and the request will disappear when restarted.

If you use a two-sim smartphone, the procedure must be repeated for each SIM card separately, since the settings are stored independently of each other. After disabling the function, the phone will immediately go to the desktop or lock screen of the system, bypassing the SIM card verification step.

⚠️ Note: When you turn off the SIM PIN, your number is lowered, and if your phone is stolen, an attacker can insert your SIM card into another device and receive it. SMS from banks or messengers.

πŸ’‘

Write down the standard PINs of operators to a secure location before changing or disabling them. For most operators, it's 0000 or 1111, but it's better to double-check in the contract.

Remove the password and pattern lock lock screen

Disabling the login password is a more radical step that makes the smartphone interface completely open. Xiaomi device owners can remove the digital code, pattern lock or complex password, leaving only the unlock by swipe or biometrics if it is set up. However, it is worth remembering that removing all security methods often leads to the removal of stored fingerprints and facial data for security purposes.

To do this, open the Settings app and go to Passwords and Security. Select Password Unlock or Screen Lock here. The system will require you to enter your current password or draw a graphical key to verify your identity. Once you successfully enter, the Lock Type Selection menu will open.

In the list of available methods, select No or Disable. On some firmware versions, this item may be at the bottom of the list or hidden within an additional lock type menu, the system will alert you that all stored biometric data will be deleted, and request final confirmation of the action.

β˜‘οΈ Check before disabling the password

Done: 0 / 4

Once confirmed, the screen will go out, and the next time you wake up, the device will unlock immediately, and if you have your fingerprints or facial recognition set up on your phone, they will stop working, and you will have to reconfigure them if you decide to return the protection.

Type of lockdownLevel of securityConvenienceImpact on data
PIN code (4-6 digits)Medium.High.Data is retained
pattern lockLow/MediocreHigh.Data is retained
A complex passwordHigh-pitchedLow.Data is retained
Absent.Absent.Maximum.Data vulnerable

Resetting a forgotten PIN code through Mi Account

The situation where the user forgets the previously installed code is one of the most common. If you can not remember the PIN unlocking the screen, but the device activated Mi Account and enabled the function "Find the device", you have the ability to remotely reset the password, this method only works if you have an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) on the locked smartphone.

To start, go to the official Xiaomi cloud service website from any other device (computer or phone) and log in using the same Mi Account that is set up on the locked smartphone. After logging in, search for Find Device or Device Search.

In your list of gadgets, select the smartphone you want. In the device management menu, find the Lock or Lock button. Pressing this button will allow you to set a new temporary password. Once you set a new combination and confirm the action, wait for the synchronization. Once the locked phone receives a command from the server, the old password will be replaced with a new one, and you can log in using the code you just specified.

What to do if there is no internet on your phone?
If the locked phone is not connected to the network, the remote reset will not work, in which case you will have to use Recovery mode and perform a full data reset (Wipe Data), which will result in the loss of all files not stored in the cloud.

Importantly, this method does not work if the device search function has been pre-disabled in the phone settings or if the phone is in flight mode, and after resetting the password, the system may require you to enter a password from your Google account to confirm the owner (FRP protection).

Problems with PUK-code and their solution

If you mis-enter the PIN three times, the SIM card is blocked and the phone requires input. PUK-It's an eight-digit code that serves as an emergency key to unlock the SIM card, and it's not stored in the phone's memory, but is tied exclusively to the SIM card chip, so it's impossible to restore it through the smartphone settings.

Find it. PUK-There are a number of ways to code, and the easiest way to do that is to look at the large plastic card that you've been breaking your SIM card from when you bought it, and it's usually printed on it with the PIN. If the card is lost, the only legal way to obtain the code is to contact the personal account of the operator or call the support service.

Mobile operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2 and others) have databases where PUK-You need to give your passport information, which is the SIM card, or you need to answer a check question, and then you get the code, enter it in the box on your phone screen. The system will prompt you to set a new PIN or refuse to use it.

  • πŸ“ž Call the operator from another number.
  • πŸ’» Go to the personal account on the operator's website through the browser.
  • πŸ“„ Find a physical card holder from the SIM card.
  • 🏒 Visit the operator’s office with a passport.

After successful entry PUK-If you code and install a new PIN (or disable it), the SIM card will be active again. PUK-Pumpkin code: Ten wrong attempts will lead to irreversible damage to the SIM card.

πŸ“Š As you usually keep. PUK-code?
I'm taking a picture of the map.
I'm writing it down.
I remember by heart.
Keeping it in the cloud.

Frequent Questions and Technical Nuances (FAQ)

Users often face unusual situations during the setup process that are not described in the basic instructions. Here are the answers to the most popular questions regarding password removal on Xiaomi and Redmi devices. These tips will help you avoid typical errors and understand the behavior of the system in various scenarios.

Special attention should be paid to issues related to corporate SIM cards and specific security settings that can block the ability to disable PIN code by administrative policies, and it is important to take into account the differences in menus for different versions of Android.

Can I turn off my PIN if I forgot it but my phone is not locked yet?
Yes, if your phone is unlocked now and you're on the system, you can try changing your PIN. Go to the SIM security settings. If you try to change the code, the system will ask you to enter the old PIN. If you don't remember it, it won't work. The only option is to wait until the phone requests a PIN when it restarts, and try the standard codes (0000, 1111, 1234). PUK-code.
Why did the screen password stop working?
This is normal Android security behavior. Biometrics (fingerprint, face) are just a convenient substitute for the primary password. If the primary password (encryption key) is removed, the system has no proof of identity to unlock the biometrics store. You have to re-introduce your fingerprint in the settings, but it still requires at least minimal protection (PIN or pattern lock).
Does disabling the SIM card PIN affect the operation of the mobile bank?
Technically, banks' apps don't check for a PIN on a SIM card, but if the phone is stolen and turned on by an attacker, the SIM card is activated without a password. This will allow the fraudster to access the phone number and use it to restore access to your accounts through the SMS-Therefore, disabling the SIM PIN code reduces the overall security of financial data.
What if your phone requires a PIN from your Google account after a reset?
This is FRP, which is a Factory Reset Protection mechanism, and if you reset your phone to factory settings, the first setup will require you to enter a login and password from a Google account that was synced to the device before the reset, which is anti-theft protection. You need to enter the owner's data, reset that protection without the owner's password is extremely difficult and often impossible by legal methods.
Can a firmware update return a PIN request?
Generally, major system updates (such as switching from MIUI 13 to 14 or HyperOS) may reset some security settings to default values for data protection purposes. After a major update, it is recommended to check password settings and security to make sure your disabling preferences are maintained. In rare cases, a system bug can reactivate the request.